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“It’s my sister and her kids. She is sick and needs my help,” I explain, not sure if I really want to show him this side of my existence. We had a few beautiful moments over the past week, but I don’t know if I can afford to uncover more of me. I trust him, but I’m still hesitant.
Somewhere, somehow, I’ve lost the boundaries our professional relationship should have, and now I’m scrambling to find my footing while the ground under my feet slides away.
For all I know, I might be making shit up and the connection is in my head only. Giving him a piece of my private reality seems like a big step. Am I going to make him uncomfortable?
After a fortifying breath, I push off the door to face him.
His features are contorted, and now I’m sure I’m over-sharing, but he says nothing, and a part of me is hoping his reaction is related to his guilt over keeping me on this side of the country.
“I’ll call the pilot and have him get organized so we can leave immediately.” He steps closer.
His solution is fast and efficient, and I don’t know if it’s compassion or guilt driving it. Does it even matter? “That’s unnecessary. We can leave in the morning. I’m sorry I unleashed on you.”
“I didn’t quite understand half of it, but I think I deserved it. Come, I’ll get youanotherglass of wine.”
A smile tugs at my lips, but I’m too exhausted and overwhelmed to let it blossom. Or to decide if returning is a good idea. But my feet shuffle away. As I pass him, the smoke and spice scent awakens all my numb nerve endings, and I remember I also told him I liked that kiss.Please, universe, now would be the time to get me a time machine.
“For the record, I liked that kiss as well. But I can’t—”
“I know. I know, Gio.” The last thing I want is to cause problems for him. If I accept an official position at the company, we can’t date. If I want to date him, I would have to look for other opportunities, while increasing my credit card debt or having Annie miss her meds again. Fuck.
“I’ll figure it out, Princess.”
My poor heart decides to train for a marathon as hope blooms inside me. He wants to figure this out.
We return to the tasting room.
“Tell me about your family.” Gio sits down and tears off a piece of baguette.
I guess if there was a time to scare him off, it would be now. “Annie has chronic arthritis with a multitude of complications, including constant pain, and it severely impacts her life. Her son, Aidan, has several issues, including learning disabilities and epilepsy. And she has a two-year-old girl. Her husband bailed after Ellery was born. She relies on me, and I’ll be gone for most of the next two weeks again.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t consider you when making the plans. I just assumed you’d tag along. And then I put you in danger.”
“For the hundredth time, it wasn’t your fault, but I accept your apology for the lack of consideration.” At that my stomach growls, and Gio shrugs, barely stifling a grin.
I roll my eyes. “Okay, I’ll eat something.” I pull the plate closer and take a bite of cheese with the bread. “Oh my God, this is good.”
“Homemade.” He takes a sip of his wine and crosses one leg over the other. “I’m sorry I misjudged your behavior at the gala. I-I had a woman faint on me once during dinner, and I guess—”
“Yes, your charm is legendary.” I tease him because I need us to go back to relaxed and superficial. And I don’t want to talk about his women. It’s a stark reminder of what I’m not.
“Touché. She was really skinny, but still starving herself. I saw you sway at the gala and, fuck, I was sure I diagnosed the symptoms.”
I smile this time. “You cared, which gives you some smiley points.”
He chuckles. “I’ll take that.”
Silence descends on the room, but this time it stems from companionship and comfort. I finish my plate and yawn. “I can’t believe I’m still tired.”
“It could be your body dealing with the influx of adrenaline.” He raises the glass to his lips and watches me from behind its rim with hooded eyes.
I’m hyperaware of my breathing.
A tiny scar marks the smooth skin above his left eyebrow.
The room grows unreasonably hot.
I swallow.
